Jane Austen, feminism and fiction

by Margaret Kirkham

A classic account of Jane Austen in the context of eighteenth century feminist ideas and contemporary thought.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, History

187 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1983

Reviews

[Elliot A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of my ongoing research in preparation for my graduate thesis.

It was a bit of an adventure trying to secure a copy of this book. I ended up getting a temporary library card from one of the universities in my hometown, then made my way up to the 8th floor of a very quiet, unfamiliar library, quickly found the book, sneezed a whole bunch from the book dust, signed it out and then rushed home.

For some strange reason I felt very uncomfortable at that library and I hoped the book wouldn’t prove too far removed form my topic.

As it turns out, the book may have added a layer to my argument and research that could potentially be very beneficial.

Referring of the book itself, I found it highly interesting, covering aspects of Austen’s works I haven’t seen much of before and finally including some information on Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication Of The Rights Of Woman, which was mentioned before as being part of Austen’s reading material, but wasn’t elaborated on in my other resources.

Overall, I found this text to be highly informative and I would recommend it for further study.

ElliotScribbles

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirkham does an excellent write of the social and political mind of Jane Austen. She wrote her novels fron the standpoint of a feminist totally disgusted with men's views on the value of women's chastity compared to their lack thereof. Austen well portrayed her view that men and women were created equal and should behave in the same manner. Kirkham compares Austen to other women writers of her day; her inability to admit her authorship because publishers catered to men. Kirkland also defines her illness as most likely bovine tuberculosis from drinking unpasteurized milk whereas the family memoir only mentions that she died at the age 41 after an illness of a couple years that she called 'bile'. Yes, of course, I will be reading more Jane Austen books!

[Marine · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting and comprehensive, i read a few chapters for research and then wanted to read the entire thing because i liked the way it was written. absolutely worth it

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic read. The author of this work reaffirms everything I have every believed about Miss Austen and her work. Ms. Kirkham truly shows us that Miss Austen was a feminist who impacted the lives of the women of her age, and in many ways still impacts us.

[Saskia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Very interesting and thought-provoking. It was great getting to see Austen's work from a new perspective and the book made me want to re-read Austen's novels but overall I found it hard to read and not always very clear or straight forward.

[Liam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fantastic deep dive into Austens work as well as the history of feminist views in writing novels

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review available here.

It’s definitely academic analysis, though not overly dry, and since the subjects are Jane Austen and feminism (with some Mary Wollstonecraft context), I totally dug it.

Enlightenment feminism argues that women haven’t been denied the powers of reason, so they ought to have the same moral status appropriate to rational beings (i.e. men). Austen exemplified this in her novels by giving her heroines brains and hearts, and discerning taste in novels (a frequent criticism of women).

An amusing note: male clergy were responsible for many of the restrictions imposed upon women, hence the male clergy as buffoons in Austen’s novels, like Mr. Elton in Emma and Mr. Collins and Pride and Prejudice. Rock on, Jane!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read. This book deals not only discusses the feminist leanings in Austen's books, and her ties with Mary Wollstonecraft, but also gives a thorough background of what exactly Enlightenment Feminism was. The careful literary and historical analysis of this book make it a must-read for any Austen reader who feels him or herself to be a feminist. (Also an excellent book to put in the hands of someone who dislikes Austen because he or she thinks her books aren't feminist enough.)

[Andrea Hickman Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought somewhat tedious in places with a tendency to belabour the point unnecessarily, I'm rather disappointed that it's taken me so long to get around to reading this. I adore Austen scholarship, especially in cases like this, where the hidden influences and incredible social commentary are easily missed by those over 200 years removed from the milieu the novels were written in and for.

[T.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and engaging but short on actual evidence. Occasionally very much reminded me of myself writing a paper on a point I know deep down I can't actually prove given the evidence